A memorable trip to Izu for hot springs included discovering Genraku’s black sesame manju in Shuzenji. The delicious treat left a lasting impression, prompting a return visit five years later to the picturesque onsen town.
Once upon a time in 2010, we visited Izu in Shizuoka to stay at a hot springs. Along the way, a Manju store was offering their signature black manju as a free taster; it was so good we bought a box of them and sat down to eat inside their shop.
Since then, we’d keep remembering about the amazing manju. Five years later, we decided to plan another trip to Izu – for the manju – the rest of the trip (the onsen, pretty scenery and temples) was a bonus. 😂
The amazing black manju is black sesame manju from Genraku:
The exterior is black from bamboo charcoal, and the ‘an’ inside is black from black sesame. It’s so soft and supple and delicous, the best manju I’ve had in Japan.
Genraku is located in Shuzenji, a charming and historic town located in Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
Nestled in the heart of the Izu Peninsula, Shuzenji is renowned for its beautiful hot springs, serene temples, and scenic natural landscapes.
The hot spring town is dotted with ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) and is also famous for the picturesque Shuzenji Temple.
Shuzenji is worth visiting in its own right, but the Genraku manju is what made it a 🥇(= worth planning a trip around it) on #myrevisitlist.
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